Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team

09/02/2026

Some good rainfall coming our way.

08/22/2026

Great crowd this morning learning about Hurricane Prep and Flood Insurance at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.

08/22/2026

And then there were 3! No worries for Lakewood Ranch yet, but we’re watching!

TROPICS | Three areas to now watch in the Atlantic Basin. A party! The new one is off the African coastline with a 20% chance of development over the next 7 days. That will be the one to watch out of the three, for now. If anything changes we will keep you posted.

08/21/2026

Great program! Have you registered?

08/21/2026

ICYMI
Thanks to all our outstanding first responders for their continued training!

Today, Friday, August 21, emergency response teams from the Sarasota Police Department (SPD), Town of Longboat Key Police Department (LBKPD), Sarasota County (FL) Sheriff's (SSO), and Manatee County Public Safety Department Lifeguards will conduct Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Training at Coquina Beach from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This joint training brings together our partnering emergency response teams to strengthen readiness for hurricanes, flooding, and water-related emergencies.

We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as our public safety partners train to be prepared when it matters most. Every effort will be made to minimize disruptions in the training area.

08/12/2026

Tropical Storm - no impacts to Lakewood Ranch Town Hall or our area. We’re watching potential .

: Tropical Storm has formed in the Atlantic, 3rd named storm of the 2026 Atlantic Season. It actually might not be the area you're thinking...it's well north! Here’s the latest:

1) Invest 93L got better organized and grabbed the name before Invest 92L (Red 80%).

2) Cristobal will be short-lived and no threat to the United States.

3) Invest 92L has an increasing potential to form and head into the Caribbean. Any impacts as a rainmaker or tropical system would be this weekend for the Lesser Antilles. Next name is . If it wants to survive, it will have to battle rough conditions with high wind shear, Saharan Dust and even possibly land depending on track ahead.

4) The final area, the yellow 30% tropical wave, could actually become the strongest of the three. Too early to know if it curves out to sea or heads more west towards land. Plenty of time to keep tabs on it.

I’ll continue to keep you updated 24/7 with no hype, just the facts. Thanks everyone!

- Matt Devitt Weather

08/12/2026

We’re watching…

TROPICS | 8 AM update from the NHC makes no changes across the Atlantic. None of these blobs are a concern.

08/11/2026

FEELS LIKE TEMPS OF UP TO 109 EXPECTED! 🥵
From noon today to 7 PM this evening.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat
illnesses.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose
fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat Advisory today for the entire area. Take it easy out there. The heat IS on.

08/09/2026

Sharing from the CERT Association of Florida. We are so flattered to receive this recognition of our volunteers’ efforts. Thank you!

2026 Florida CERT Team of the Year

Presented to the Community Emergency Response Team that created/implemented an initiative and/or innovation that improves the ability of their CERT program to achieve innovative and sustainable practices in emergency management to make their jurisdiction safer, stronger, better prepared, and more resilient (e.g. in the areas of public education, training and engagement; government/non-government partnerships and integration of services, capacity building, etc.)

This year’s team is Lakewood Ranch CERT.

LWR CERT has recently implemented two major initiatives that directly advance the goals of modern, sustainable emergency management: an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) response program and a post storm drone operations program. Both initiatives represent substantial innovation within the CERT framework and demonstrate how volunteer teams can meaningfully enhance local response capacity.

LWR CERT exemplifies the spirit of innovation and sustainability that this award recognizes. The team’s forward looking programs, strong partnerships, and long standing commitment to community resilience make it a model for CERT programs across Florida.

For your dedicated service to your community Florida CERT Association recognizes Lakewood Ranch CERT as the 2026 Florida CERT TEAM of the Year.

08/08/2026

Well, that developed quickly. No worries for Lakewood Ranch yet.
We’re watching…

Now there's 2.